The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book

The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book, was first published in
September 1988 by my Father Mel Ellis, from recipes that literally were in the
cupboard drawer that had been collected over the years by my Mom, Dorothy
Ellis. They represent tried and true family style cooking. The copyrights to
this were recently given to me by my mom who is now 86 and by choice living in
an assisted living home in Aurora,
Illinois. Below is the original
forward written in 1988 by my Dad…

Dorothy Ellis

Foreward

Historically, all good recipes have been created in the
kitchen by trial and error; and emerge as palatable dishes which please the
author’s taste and senses. Over periods of time, alternatives occur which
please the fancy and tastes desires of other cooks and are recorded in some
form some where.

My wife, Dorothy, over a period of some forty years, has
collected recipes which were pleasing to her tastes. They come from many
sources such as friends, family, or wherever she sees a recipe that she could
modify and save. They are all good quality and provide the most succulent
edibles.

Dorothy’s collection has come written in many forms, such as
clippings, typed or handwritten notes that appear on every imaginable kind of
paper; although we have not found any written on paper towels.(We’re still
looking though).

The various sizes and shapes of the notes have caused a
filing problem. Hence the bundle is stored away in a cupboard drawer, dresser
drawer, desk drawer, boxes under the bed, or any easy out of place site for
when company comes to visit. For this reason, “The Cupboard Drawer Recipe Book”
has been compiled to provide a standardized and easy to follow format. This may
be kept in a notebook or as published in a spiral bound book. A Categorical
Index is provided for ease in locating recipes when desired.

Dorothy’s collection has provided many delectable treats for
both family and friends. Credits are shown for the authors who are known; other
wise they have been lost to history and we are unable to credit them.

Please Note that calorie counts have not been included. You
must judge that while you ENJOY!

Mel Ellis

September 1988

2009 Update

In the twenty one years since it was published this book of
recipes has earned it’s place on the kitchen shelf hundreds of time over, used
both by Zena, my Warrior Princess, and me; even more so since she passed away.
I will be updating some of the recipes since many of the originals were written
before microwaves, and many of the advances in modern cookware and techniques.
Some ingredients are harder, if not impossible to find, but were commonplace
when the recipe was written. So look for some of my update notes.

One other significant note here. This is a recipe book, not
a cookbook. There are no special techniques here, no procedures to be taught,
if you need that there are many on the market and I commend them to you. This
is a recipe book for the person that knows their way around the family kitchen
and wants good solid stick to your ribs food. I continue the tradition of doing
no calorie counting here as it goes against the grain, but on the exceptionally
rich recipes I will warn you it’s not for those who have to count them.

I will be including also some of my Dad’s recipes (he was a
good cook also) and some of my own and Zena’s to the legacy; and thus I advise
you in the Spirit of the Ellis Family, DO ENJOY!

Copyright 2009 Richmond Hill, Ga All rights reserved

Also I am not a paid spokesman for any products advertised
on the published pages.

Pumpkin - Cider Bread RecipeHere is another sweet bread recipe from The Cupboard Drawer; this Pumpkin-Cider bread is another Thanksgiving Day favorite and a unique blend of fall flavors. It does take a bit time to put together...

A Bing Cherry Muffin RecipeA Muffin recipe that folds in the great taste of fresh cherries; and offers a simple plan when using canned fruit in muffins to ensure they are 'crisp' as can be...

A recipe for The Bishop's BreadHere is a sweet bread recipe from The Cupboard Drawer, I do not know the story behind the Bishops title but it is heavenly with a nice cuppa Tea whether it be a green or black tea. I was routinely...

How to make Ice Box BiscuitsAn Old School Biscuit recipe. Yeast Based, that comes from the time of Ice Boxes in the home. Great weekday time saver if you do the initial prep on the weekend....

Hamburger Parmesan | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe BookHere is a family favorite way to give a special taste to hamburgers. Its a great variety play on prepping this American staple, and the use of Ground Chuck adds succulence in a cost effective way. Serve it...

A Mushroom - Walnut Sole Fillet Recipe Here is one for my fish loving friends, which blends the flavors and textures of fish, walnuts and mushrooms into stimulating your palate in a sumptuous sort of way. This one is also from The Cupboard...

How to Make Sweet Potato-Apricot CasseroleHere is a Holiday Favorite from The Cupboard Drawer, the sweet potato is one of Gods great wonders as all essential nutrients can be found in this delectable root. In the Yam form it serves as a dietary...

Chicken Mozzarella RecipeThis is a Chicken Mozzarella recipe that ia a simplified recipe that when presented looks like a lot more work than it was. One of the big benefits of The Cupboard Drawer Recipes is just that. My Mom,...

A Green Pepper Meat Loaf RecipeHere is a great meatloaf variation straight from The Cupboard Drawer. It hides a different texture to the dish that becomes evident at the point of consumption (your mouth) in a pleasing sort of way....

Ruben Cassarole RecipeHere is a Corned Beef and Sauerkraut combination that is particularly good on a cool fall evening. The tanginess of the Kraut with a well spiced corned beef is a belly warmer of the first degree. This one...

Pork Chop Alsation RecipeHere is a favorite of mine for Pork Chops, its another recipe from The Cupboard Drawer. The treatment of the chops also helps tenderize them so this is particularly good on the thicker cut chops. You...

Stuffed Dover Sole | The Cupboard Drawer Recipe BookFor a seafood lover, a true Dover Sole is the stuff of ambrosia. It comes from only one place in the world and that is in the cold waters of the North Sea and English Channel. So here in the states you will...

Cranberry Orange Cream Topping RecipeHere is a Cream Topping for the Cranberry lovers out there. The Cupboard Drawer in keeping with its recent tradition delivers another treat that can even add calories to cranberries and oranges. This...

How to make Coffee Cream DelightHere is a recipe from my Mom, Dorothys book The Cupboard Drawer as a coffee lover myself, this one hits a special spot. Now having said that I should give you full disclosure, Im not a latte or...

Seven Layer Choconaught CookiesI call these Choconaughts because once you cut them into squares they look like space food that might have gone on the Gemini or Apollo Missions. Full of coconut, chocolate and butterscotch chips a rich treat....

An Easy Holiday Chocolate Fudge RecipeThe coming Holidays generate more and more things to do so time becomes a precious commodity. Here is a Fudge Recipe from The Cupboard Drawer that can be done in less than 30 mins and lets you put some...

How to make a Lime-Chocolate PieHere is a Lime Chocolate Pie recipe that is a real sweetie from crust to topping. As you read the ingredients you will feel the sweet waves of delight rush through your body, generating undulating waves of anticipation of...

Woe is me! Ice Cream and Candy Pie RecipeHere is another great dessert recipe from The Cupboard Drawer, The Ice Cream variations are limited only by your imagination and product availability. For the gals out there that like to wash their...

How To Make Chocolate Meringue CookiesGood Day! As always, I hope this finds each of you and all of you in good health and cheer. Here is another bit of sweetness from The Cupboard Drawer; this provided by a dear friend of my Mom,...

A Creme Sandwich Cookie Cake RecipeThis Ice Cream and Cookie Recipe is another one from The Cupboard Drawer, it comes from my Aunt Kathleen in Erie Illinois, which is to say small town (My Granddads Farm was on the edge of town when I...

Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars RecipeHere is a Cheesecake recipe that combines the smooth sweetness of cream cheese with the unique flavor of pumpkin. This one is from The Cupboard Drawer and has its genesis in the great depression...

How to make an Egg CasseroleThis is another one of those egg recipes that stretches the dollar, and in these trying times may be useful. All the elements of good nutrition are here from carbs to proteins, plus the good taste to get them...

Hot Lunch Sausage in the Cradle Adults OnlyThis lunch is best prepared as a teamwork event in a monogamous relationship. Children should not be in the house; so when they are young, do so while they are at school, or wait till theyre grown and...

How to make The Slammer Jammer Sausage Sam'michThere is a plethora of healthy recipes all over the internet, but very few about food that is fun, which celebrates the good taste, a bit OFat, or sugar adds to life. While I will be presenting many of the...

How to Make a Salmon Sandwich SpreadHere is a great Salmon Spread recipe from The Cupboard Drawer. Folks who know me know Im not a big fish lover or sandwich spread lover in general, (give me Salami and Cheese please), but I know many,...

French Cabbage Soup | The Cupboard Recipe BookThis hearty French Soup recipe was given to my mom by her grandmother, Dorothy Possley, who we fondly called Bono. I cant honestly say where or what originated the Bono name, and in fact I didnt even...

Christmas Chocolate Eggnog RecipeHere is an easy Chocolate flavored Eggnog recipe from The Cupboard Drawer. For the Chocoholics out there, this gives the eggnog a real smooth taste; and of course you can spice (or spike depends...

How to Make an Apple-Apricot-Lime CoolerFall is when the harvest comes in, especially the Apple Harvest. The smell of hot apple cider is like a welcoming hug when you come in out of the cool air. But what about midday when it might still be a bit...

Halloween Witches BrewITs that time again folks, Here is a recipe and incantations for witches and warlocks to make their brew and weave their webs...

How to Make Salmon Corn ChowderAs fall settles in, and the days start to shorten up and the temps drop, especially in the early evening, few aromas match the wafting smells of fresh chowder on the stove. Here is a special chowder variation...

A twofer of bean soup recipiesHere are a couple of tried and true bean soups that hit the spot on a cold fall day. I grew up in the Chicago area and Indian Summer is rapidly approaching, with it the turning of the leaves and soon the...

How to Make Avocado Bacon DipHere is another recipe from The Cupboard Drawer. With Football season and Baseball Playoffs well under way, This Avocado recipe is a great way to serve a Changeup for your sports fans from...

Comments

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Hmrjmr1 6 years agofrom Georgia, USA

WK Hayes - Welcome to the 'Jam Side' and Do Enjoy!

Warren Keith Hayes 6 years agofrom Bryson City, North Carolina

This page is getting bookmarked for future use. However, after reading the titles for the recipes alone and I'm feeling a sudden urge to raid the kitchen. Excellent article that should come with the warning label that reads: Will provoke uncontrollable hunger! LOL.

Author

Hmrjmr1 6 years agofrom Georgia, USA

Tina - Thanks so much for stopping by, commenting and sharing, Do Enjoy!

Author

Hmrjmr1 6 years agofrom Georgia, USA

Susan - Thanks for Stopping by so glad you like them Do Enjoy!

gr82bme 6 years agofrom USA

Wow, these all look great! I don't know where to start and we get them all free. Thank you so much for sharing.

Will vote up,bookmark and share.

Happy New Year to you and yours

Tina

Susan Zutautas 6 years agofrom Ontario, Canada

What an amazing collection. Bookmarked so I can come back again and again to read them all. Thanks so much this!

Author

Hmrjmr1 7 years agofrom Georgia, USA

HB5356 - Thanks for stopping by and Do enjoy!!

Hummingbird5356 7 years ago

Congratulations on being picked for this week´s interview and I like your recipes. I have just read the one for muffins and will probably make them. Good work.

Author

Hmrjmr1 7 years agofrom Georgia, USA

Glad to share them with you Pinky Do Enjoy!!

pinkylee 7 years ago

i will def be trying some of these out... mama finally passed some of her recipies down to me that have been passed down from my grandma. i was truly thrilled when she did because i had been asking her forever (this has been some years ago)

Author

Hmrjmr1 7 years agofrom Georgia, USA

Faybe Bay - Don't think you can beat Old School Food! Thanks for stopping by and Do Enjoy!!

Faye Constantino 7 years agofrom Florida

I knew I liked you. Recipes from the cupboard. I have many of my Grandmother's favorites stored away as they are too fragile to read. I'll just have to try yours. Funny, you looked so sneaky in forum. I knew you were hiding something behind those shades.

Author

Hmrjmr1 7 years agofrom Georgia, USA

Sally - So Glad you Like it Do Enjoy!!,,More on the way...

Sherri 7 years agofrom Southeastern Pennsylvania

What a gem of a collection. Glad I found it through my friend trish1048 here on HubPages. I love both food and the stories behind it. I'm going to have a great time going through these tempting recipes.

Author

Hmrjmr1 7 years agofrom Georgia, USA

Salt- Thank you for commenting, it made me stop and think about that and you are right, Dot and Mel did when they first put it together and I so as I update it and republish it here. Hope it comes through in the cooking and that you...Do Enjoy!

salt 7 years agofrom australia

Alot of work and love put in here.

Author

Hmrjmr1 7 years agofrom Georgia, USA

2uesday - Thanks for stopping by and Do Enjoy...

2uesday 7 years ago

Some great recipe names,I will bookmark this hub and take a look at them. Thanks, lots of ideas here.

Author

Hmrjmr1 7 years agofrom Georgia, USA

Thanks Carolyn - Appreciate your stopping By Do Enjoy!

Carolyn Mincey 7 years ago

What a beautiful Mother you had and some wonderful recipes.

Author

Hmrjmr1 7 years agofrom Georgia, USA

Bpop thanks so much for your loyal following here, I was thinking it might be handy to have an index so you could browse when you're wondering what to cook for the day, Do Enjoy!!

breakfastpop 7 years ago

Dear Hmrjmr,

This is a treasure trove of wonderful recipes. I already printed a few of them, and made some of them, but i am thrilled. Thanks so much for sharing.